Lucha libre and its stars have always been popular in Latino culture and more recently in mainstream U.S. culture. Capitalizing on this and attempting to turn the popularity into attention to environmental problems enters el Hijo Del Santo.

The wrestler will tag team with WildCoast, the U.S.-based nongovernmental organization in its campaign to defeat sea turtle consumption in Mexico, defend protected beaches on the California coast, and save the gray whales in Baja California.
“I began to worry, to become interested, and I was affected very much by the statistics on what is happening,” Hijo del Santo told a news conference that included the presentation of a mock movie trailer announcing “Santo vs. the Enemies of the Sea.”

So how does a masked luchador save the environment? Through awareness campaigns that include battles against a group of wrestlers disguised as environmental enemies “the Pirate who Robbed Turtle Eggs” and “SewageMan” and distributing educational comic books featuring his character challenging threats to the ocean.

Now all we need is for luchadores to step up and fight other societal enemies plaguing Mexico like domestic violence. I mean hey, we know the machos are watching, it could work.

Via / MSNBC and Ecotality